Search - A Wicked Way to Burn

This is the first of a series of historical mysteries set in Bracebridge, Massachusetts in the 1760's. The main character is Charlotte Willett, a young widow in her 30's, and her neighbor Richard Longfellow, an eccentric older man who is well-read and prone to doing scientific experiments and such. In this first book, a wealthy merchant is observed bursting into flame in the middle of a country lane and whispers of witchcraft and devil worship begin circulating in this very conservative Puritan setting. Charlotte and Richard both believe something else is afoot and set out to prove that this was not a case of spontaneous human combustion nor witchcraft. A little slow to get started but once I got into it it became very interesting and a good read. Very "Sleepy Hollow-ish" feel to the book.

While I enjoyed the book I didn't find it one that I would read again and again. It was good enough to request the sequels though.

what a wonderful historical murder mystery!i plan on reading the series because the author is very talented not only in fleshing out her characters but her facts also, a good read